The first subordinate clause in a sentence refers to the subject of the sentence. If it refers to the object, or to a possessive, you get a dangling modifier. Here are some examples:
Also designed to interact with mobile phones placed on the surface, Microsoft says it will initially sell the unit to corporate customers. bbc.co.uk May 30 07
Born in 1976, this will be Ando's first exhibition outside of her native Japan. White Cube press handout(Ando, not the exhibition, was born in Japan.)
But after lying undiscovered for at least 300 years workmen accidentally stumbled upon Royston Cave. The Free Dictionary (But after IT HAD LAIN undiscovered for at least 300 years workmen accidentally stumbled upon Royston Cave.)
Carried here from Brittany by an ancient river flowing into the Triassic desert about 240 million years ago, erosion is gradually spilling the stones from Budleigh's cliffs onto the beach below. Budleigh Salterton site
Displayed in 1947 stretched on easels at the Lefebre Gallery in London, many buyers of the silk head-squares seem even then to have preferred framing to wearing them.Independent March 15 2003 (The squares, not the buyers, were stretched oneasels.)
Dubbing their proposed plane the Ariel, the steam air carriage would have 50-metre wingspan and fly 80 kilometres per hour. New Scientist October 2003 (Who they?)
Known as the “jewels of Helen”, Schliemannn had his Greek wife, Sophia,photographed wearing the Troy jewels before smuggling them to Berlin. GuardianAugust 18, 2005 (The jewels, not Schliemann, were known as the “jewels of Helen”. Try this: Schliemannn had his Greek wife, Sophia, photographed wearingthe Troy jewels – known as the “jewels of Helen” – before smuggling them to Berlin.)
Modelled on the street parties of the time, including music and activities, we are inviting visitors, local schools and CWR veterans to come along and join in the fun! Imperial War Museum press handout (It’s the fun that’s modelled, etc, not us. We are inviting visitors,local schools and CWR veterans to come along and join in the fun – modelled on the street parties of the time, including music and activities.)
Once selected, the jukebox will play one of its 192 CDs. Guardian September 29, 2005 (You select the CD, not the jukebox.)
Rather than feeling inadequate if you’re rarely in the mood, sex therapist Dr Sandra Pertot explains why for many women a low libido can be perfectly normal. Independent May 31, 2005 (Presumably Dr Sandra Pertot doesn’t feel inadequate. “Sex therapist DrSandra Pertot explains why for many women a low libido can be perfectly normal– there’s no need to feel inadequate if you’re rarely in the mood.”)
Reminiscent of a cabinet of curiosities, the artists in this show experiment with scale and origin to present another version of the world. Jerwood Space handout. (The works, not the artists, recall a cabinet of curiosities.)
Sated by suet crust, feeling more virtuous than Paul McCartney, the bucket dinner is amoment to marvel. (The eaters, not the dinner, are sated.)
Sinuous, immaculate and unfussy, he reserved his subtlest powers for the end of the sublime adagio. (His performance, not he, was sinuous etc.) Times July 20 2006
The maid Anna saved the netsuke for her, hidden in a mattress. (Anna saved them by hiding them in her mattress – she didn’t hide in the mattress herself.)
When the pudding failed to impress, the public were annoyed that Cradock had seemingly ruined a potential success for the Devon housewife. Coupled with the rude manner in which Fanny had spoken to Troake, the public demanded her shows be axed from the BBC. (wiki) (What is coupled with Fanny’s rude manner? The fact that her pudding lost Gwen Troake the competition, not the public.)
Grammar: Danglers
